“In the Mood for Love” helmer awarded top French cultural honor

PanARMENIAN.Net - Wong Kar-wai’s francophile credentials were given another boost as he was awarded one of the French government’s highest cultural accolades, The Hollywood Reporter said.

At a ceremony in Wong’s hometown, Hong Kong, French foreign minister Laurent Fabius -- who was in town for a two-day visit -- appointed the director a Commander of France’s Order of Arts and Letters, the highest of three possible ranks in a honor-roll presided over by the French cultural ministry.

The award was the latest in a long line of awards Wong has secured in France ever since he made his debut on the film-festival circuit in 1988 when he brought his directorial debut, As Tears Go By, to the Critics’ Week sidebar at Cannes.

Having garnered a large fanbase in France -- he has been a darling on the Croisette, winning the Best Director title in 1997 with Happy Together, and having his 2004 film, 2046, selected for competition even though it didn't yet have a confirmed title at the time -- Wong was already made a Knight of France’s National Order of the Legion of Honor in 2006, shortly before he went on to preside over the Cannes jury that year.

The Grandmaster, which was premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in February, will open in North America in August.